"Do you think anyone is actually rooting for us?"

"What do you mean?" Jungkook questions.

"Well," Jimin takes a small bite of the steak Yoongi delivered to them. "I mean I know they like our relationship and stuff, but do you really think the people up at The Capital think we could win?"

"Yeah, I think so," Jungkook pokes the smaller's stomach softly, causing Jimin to laugh a bit. Not too much though—his abdomen hurt when he moved it too much. "I mean, we must be doing something right. There's 21 people left. It's only been eight days, and 51 people are dead." The last District 8 boy had died yesterday. "Do you think it's random, or are people biased?"

"Probably both," Jimin realizes, snuggling even closer to his lover. He's felt better in the past few days—both physically and mentally. "We're the only district past 6 that has more than one person left. 12 has been wiped out completely. I think people are biased...maybe some are biased towards us. And maybe that's a good thing. Gets us more sponsors, hopefully."

"Lets Yoongi discover his greatest passion too," Jungkook looks at him with a joking gleam in his eye. "Wonder if he'll pursue his stripper career after The Games are over, eh?"

Jimin giggles softly, spirit lifting the slightest bit. "I hope so. If I had money, I'd pay to see that."

"I missed you being witty like this," Jungkook's tone turns serious, warm. "My Mimmie is coming back. I missed you...I'm really, really glad.

"Me too," He nods. In reality, it wasn't much better. His fears have gotten worse, his mind louder. But he was working extremely hard to get out of that headspace. He was trying so hard to not get lost. It's was why he's so grateful for Jungkook. Jungkook can see when Jimin is drifting into that headspace, and he quickly distracts him. He'd be so much worse off if it weren't for Jungkook.

Perhaps though, if he wasn't with Jungkook, he would've been better. He would've been stronger. Instead, he was terrified of his own mind.

But he'll continue to work hard, he'll continue to try. For Jungkook.

"Hey, do you think-"

Jungkook was cut off by an announcement overhead.

"Attention remaining tributes. The feast will be held at The Cornucopia at dawn two days from now, on the tenth day of The Games. Now, I know some of you are hesitant, but there is something each and every one of you need. If I were any one of you, I would personally go. Good luck tributes, see you there, and may the odds be ever in your favor."

It was like Jimin's mind opened up into a beautiful field of clarity. "Koo, your hand..."

"What? No, Mimmie, we can't," Jungkook looks at him, eyes wide. "It's too risky, and my hand is fine."

"No, it's not," Jimin argues. "You can barely grab things with it, it's covered in red patches that hurt when you touch them. You're lucky we haven't gotten into an altercation since you've injured it! If we have the resources to heal your wounds, we need to get it."

"Mimmie, I'll be fine-"

"No," He says forcefully, staring at Jungkook dead-on. "I'm going tomorrow, and you can't stop me. You're not the only one who gets to make decisions in this relationship." His tone was not accusatory, just factual. His mind was completely clear now, he needed to do what was best for Jungkook. He was finally able to form a plan in his head, instead of floundering like he has been for days. "You went into the bloodbath despite my initial protests, now it's my turn. I'm going to be focused this time, I'm not going to get caught up in a bad situation. It's my turn, Jungkook. You need me. I'm going."

"But-"

"I'm going!" Jimin reiterates. "You're hurt. I hate that you're hurting. I don't want you to be in pain anymore, Jungkook, not like this. I'm not in pain like you are, so you can't argue that I'm injured too—my injuries are practically healed! Listen, I'm going to the feast, Koo. You need to be at your best for The Games. What if we're in a scenario where you need both your hands? What if it's life and death for you? I won't let that happen. I'm going. I don't want to leave your side, but if you won't come with me, I will."

"I..." Jungkook's gaze changes, a gaze full of deep emotion, a warmth in his eyes that could melt ice. "You're back."

"Oh..." His eyes widen softly. "I guess I am."

Jungkook's lips turn upwards. "My Mimmie is back."

Jimin returns the look, jubilant to see Jungkook so happy.

Their upturned lips meet.

*

The kiss was sweet. There was a mutual sense of longing between the two, Jungkook could tell. Not just longing for this physical act, but longing for them both to feel safe, even happy, at the same time. Right now, Jimin and Jungkook both feel happy, and confident, and safe. It wouldn't last long, they'd go back to fear and upset within minutes, but for now, it was just him and Jimin. And Jungkook savored it.

Their lips were chapped, they were cold, and hungry, and dirty. But this moment was his, it was theirs. That was why Jungkook loved it.

How much longer does he have left to love Jimin?

The moment ends with that depressing thought, and Jungkook pulls away, stomach full of butterflies. He closes his eyes, listening to his lover's jagged breath.

"Can...can I do this more often?" Jungkook whispers, breath shaky. "I guess I never asked, and so I haven't kissed you much. B-but I want to. I just want to make sure you'd be okay with that."

"Oh..." Jimin breaks into a soft smile. "Yes, absolutely, Koo...please."

"Okay, good," Jungkook nods, returning the look, nerves still dancing around in his abdomen. "I'll do so then."

Jimin kisses him again. "Me too. I...I want more happy memories with you before I die. When I die, will you kiss me as I leave? To ease the pain?"

Jungkook's eyes widen. "Mimmie-"

"If I die," Jimin corrects, but Jungkook couldn't tell if he meant it. The longer they go on, the more Jungkook sees determination in the older's gaze that unsettles him. "Please. I know it's selfish...but it would give me so much comfort to know that last thing I feel are your lips on mine."

"...I'll only promise if you promise to do the same for me," Jungkook hesitates. He hates talking about this. He wants to ignore the impending death looming over their heads...he just wants to try to be happy with Jimin, just a few more times.

Was it foolish to try to be optimistic within the arena of The Games? No...no it can't be, Jungkook has to believe that. Optimism was helping keep him alive. But...but it was so easily crushed. So was Jungkook hurting himself by being optimistic?

But then he looks at Jimin. And he realizes being happy with him for a few more days was worth the pain. He'd always choose optimism if it meant Jimin felt better overall.

"Of course, I promise," Jimin nods. "If that happens, I'll be there for you."

"Well...I'm glad that's settled then," Jungkook sighs. The topic lays heavy on his heart. After a few moments, he speaks again. "...Are you sure you want to go to the feast?"

"Yes, Koo. I'm not changing my mind," His voice was firm. Jungkook hated how protective Jimin felt right now. He didn't want Jimin to put himself in danger for his sake. But he knows it's hypocritical to fight him on it...so he stays silent. "We're getting what we need to heal your hand, and then we'll stay out of harm's way, I promise."

Jungkook wanted to protest, but Jimin was so motivated right now, and the more motivated Jimin was, the harder he would fight. And Jungkook needs Jimin to fight.

Because Jimin had to win. And an unmotivated Jimin couldn't win The Hunger Games.

How had it only been eight days? Jungkook was so exhausted. Not ready to give up, of course, but exhausted, nonetheless. His body and mind had deteriorated in ways he didn't know possible. Why couldn't things just end? 21 tributes were not a lot compared to the original 72, but they were still 20 obstacles that kept Jimin from surviving—including Jungkook himself.

He shakes his head, snapping out of it. That was the wrong way to think. He couldn't just wish for the end, because then he would lose the strength to keep going. He didn't have much time left on this earth, he was going to die for Jimin to win. But that didn't mean he was dead yet. Jungkook was still alive, so he needed to still act like he was alive.

"Hey Mimmie," He says suddenly. "I love you."

"Oh. I love you too, Koo," Jimin looks slightly confused, smiling softly regardless.

"I know that was sort of out of nowhere, but I have to say it as much as possible," Jungkook explains after seeing his expression. "Because I do love you. I love you a ton. I've never loved a person like I love you. And, this is obviously The Hunger Games, and I know we're both scared, and tired, and hungry, and cold, and in pain...But I want to spend as much time as I physically can loving you, and letting you know how much I love you. I want you to be happy. Even if just a little bit, even if just for a little bit, I want you to be happy."

"...No one can be truly happy in The Hunger Games," Jimin murmurs. "But...we can pretend, can't we?"

"Yeah, exactly," Jungkook nods. "And if we pretend enough, maybe some of that joy will become real."

Jimin moves his hand up to cup Jungkook's face. "I wish I could make it so you only felt happiness, Koo. You deserve nothing but happiness and comfort."

"I wish the same for you," Jungkook slowly wraps Jimin into his arms. He wishes he could squeeze him into a warm embrace, but he can't hold him with his left hand, and he can't press himself against Jimin because of the smaller's wounds. But it was better than nothing. Jungkook had to be grateful for what he did have.

And right now, he had Jimin.

So Jungkook closes his eyes, and he breathes in deeply, taking Jimin in completely. Under the dirt, and the musk, and whatever else the pair had encountered, he still smelled like Jimin. Jungkook didn't realize how much he loved Jimin's smell until he entered the arena. But even the way he smells brings Jungkook comfort.

He kisses Jimin's hair, and then his face, then his lips, and then his neck, just softly peppering his skin. Jimin pets Jungkook's hair as he does, simply just wholesome touches from the both of them. Jimin brings Jungkook's face up to his, and they share yet another kiss. Jungkook can physically feel the love pouring from Jimin in this kiss. It was wonderfully overwhelming.

Jimin was all he had left. He was never getting out of here. He would never see his parents again. He had no future. Nothing outside of this arena matters anymore to Jungkook. But Jimin was here. Jimin was right in front of him, right at this moment, giving him everything he needed right at this very second on this earth. Right now, inside the arena, his whole world was Jimin, his whole life was Jimin.

Jimin was all that mattered to him.